The Runaway Mate: Alpha's Secret Heir

Amber The rumor had been flying around for quite some time now, spreading like wildfire throughout the pack that Alpha Nathan had chosen a mate. A mate that wasn’t fated to him by the moon goddess. It was no news that Alpha Nathan had been cursed twenty years ago, a curse which rendered him unable to find his mate. For a werewolf, that was a tragic fate to bear. How he had chosen his mate though, was a different story. The identity of Alpha Nathan’s mate still remained a mystery as no one knew who she was or even a name. No one knows anything about her, although thousands of stories have been woven around about her identity. Some say she was a vision of beauty with porcelain skin and beautiful eyes that can penetrate deep into one’s soul, in search of long-hidden secrets, some claimed she had a unique personality that made her stand out from others and had snow-white hair that shimmered like moonlight. But amidst all the tales and whispers, one thing remained constant; she had a heart as black as Alpha Nathan’s and everyone said she was a better match for him. Who better to live with a beast than a beast itself? Well, I couldn’t agree less on that part. Alpha Nathan was known to be the cruelest Alpha King to have ever existed. With tales of how he had conquered packs and his relentless brutality on the battlefield were legendary and not to talk of how he killed people without a second thought, making daily killings a grim routine. I would say someone who isn’t strong-hearted wouldn’t survive living with him. “I heard she’s as beautiful as they come,” Another tale met my ears, igniting more whispers as others who intend to buy groceries instead stop to listen and chirp in on the conversation. I rolled my eyes wondering what the fascination was all about. After all, no one really knew what Alpha Nathan looked like. What we know of him was from the tales told about him, only a few members of the pack had the opportunity of meeting him in person— well, I wouldn’t call that opportunity as most of them most likely never had the chance to see the light of the next day. I wondered what it would be like living under the same roof as him. Did she accept him wholeheartedly despite the tales surrounding his name? With a shrug of my shoulder, I decided to focus on why I was there. Alpha Nathan wasn’t my problem and neither was his mate. I carefully selected the last batch of vegetables, placed them gently into my basket, and handed the cash to the cashier. Noticing the time, I suddenly felt a growing unease settle at the pit of my stomach and I knew I had to hurry home to begin the preparation for dinner or my stepfather was going to have my head. My ears would be full of different sorts of taunting and insults from him and Maria. Leaving the market behind, I quickened my pace and the weight of the groceries in my arms was a constant reminder of the task that awaited me. I began to pray silently hoping that my stepfather wasn’t home yet. It was way past five in the evening when I was supposed to be done with the preparation for dinner. Finally, I arrived at the familiar front door, my hands were a little shaky as I reached for the doorknob. With bated breath, I turned it slowly, hoping that somehow the moon goddess had heard my prayers. Stepping over the threshold, I was greeted with an eerie silence that engulfed the house which was strange. Although I was relieved that no one was home yet, I was curious as to why none of them were present, not even Maria who was a pain in my ass. I quietly made my way towards the kitchen, unloading the basket of vegetables and the rest of the groceries onto the counter, and without wasting any more I plunged into the familiar routine of cutting, chopping, stirring, and sizzling, determined to finish cooking before anyone arrives home. Thirty minutes later, I was done with dinner. I brought out the dishes and placed them on the table just as Father always loved. It was a good thing he wasn’t home so I had a peaceful evening while I was preparing the food. When I was done arranging the dining table, I decided to go into my room and get a bath. The day was exhausting like it always was, with me being the first to be awake and doing all the chores in the house, I never had the time to bathe in the morning, only at night. At least breakfast should be ready at exactly Eight, a minute after that and I would be punished by my stepfather. As I walked down the hallway, I began to hear whispers and I paused. I thought no one was in the house when I arrived. I walked towards the door where the whispers were more prominent and then I heard the voices of my stepfather and mother. “You shouldn’t have done that?” Mom’s voice sounded angry and my brows creased. Usually, Mok wasn’t one to question my stepfather. She allowed him to do as he pleases, so color me shocked when I heard her disapproving tone as she addressed my stepfather unless I had assumed wrong. “I needed the money. You needed the money. What else do you expect me to do?” My stepfather, Gabriel asked, confirming I had assumed correctly. What they were talking about though, remained a mystery to me. “Yes, we were broke and in dire need of money but come on, Gabriel! Of all the people you chose to borrow money from, you chose a loan shark who works under Alpha Nathan!” Mom yelled. She sounded tired and in pain and I could hear her voice shaking. It was one thing to get a loan from a loan shark but it was another to get one from a loan shark who works for Alpha Nathan. Alpha Nathan was ruthless which was what everyone knew even a little child could attest to that. Getting a loan from him and not meeting up with the due date was like a death wish and I guess that was Mom’s fear. “It’s not like we had a choice. We could have lost the house” Gabriel responded nonchalantly and I rolled my eyes. When my father passed away, Mom and I lived well until Gabriel played his charm on her and my Mom fell for his charms. Before I knew it I was moved out of my bedroom to the storage room in the house so that Maria, Gabriel’s daughter could have the room she wanted. “What do we do now?” I heard Mom ask. It was quiet for a moment aside from the little noises resonating from the room from the sound of someone’s feet which I could tell was from pacing around. “At least we’ve paid half.” I heard Mom mumble. “Paid half? Yeah right.” Gabriel scoffed. “What do you mean? I gave you the money didn’t I?” Mom asked cautiously. I could tell she was already sensing what Gabriel’s response would be. “Look Amelia, I was trying to double the money okay? It’s just that things didn’t turn out well” he replied. Yeah right? Like anyone would believe that. I’m pretty sure he spent that money on drinks and gambling, well that was his usual so I wasn’t surprised. “Double the money?” I heard Mom question in disbelief. This wasn’t supposed to come as a surprise to her if she had opened her eyes and seen Gabriel for who he really was. “Gabriel—“ she paused, then a sharp intake of breath followed, “Please tell me you still have that money with you” she pleaded. “I just told you, didn’t I? It's gone.” I know that statement must have been followed by a shrug of his shoulder. He was always nonchalant about things like this and unapologetic even when he was caught. Most times he would act angry and Mom would be the one to apologize. “We can beg Alpha Nathan to have mercy on us, give us a few days and we will pay back” Mom suggested. “What are you doing here?” I jumped back in surprise and I met the knowing look on Maria’s face as she smirked at me. “I was just passing by” I murmured then attempted to walk away but she held me and then pulled me back. “Uh—uh. I know what you were doing” “Yet you still asked me” I mumbled. “What did you say?” She took a threatening stance towards me. Maria was two feet taller than me which gave her the belief that I was intimidated by her. I wasn’t scared of her, I just got out of her way in order to avoid punishment from Gabriel. “Nothing. I said I was going to the room” I uttered. “Better,” she said. I waited for her to say more words and when she didn’t, I turned to leave. “Don’t think I won’t be telling my Dad about your little escapade” She sneered. I walked back to my room with my mind occupied with thoughts of how to handle the situation. I was apprehensive because I wasn't sure if Maria was going to carry out the threat about reporting me to her father. I was also restless about what u overhead. Does Gabriel ever think before acting? I wasn't surprised that this was coming from him though. He had always been selfish and was always scheming and now I wondered what he was scheming next.